1.1 million trees to be planted in Delhi: Environment minister Gopal Rai

Gopal Rai said that “when the fight against pollution was started by the Arvind Kejriwal government in 2015-16”, 1,651,000 trees were planted

Noting that national capital’s green cover has increased by 2,500 hectares, or 21.88% of the total land area, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said 1.1 million additional trees will be planted in the city.

The forest survey of India has mentioned two categories of terrain for the purpose of green cover -- first is hilly and the second one is plains. (AP)

Addressing the press on Tuesday, Rai said the Delhi government will also organise a “wildlife conservation awareness campaign” at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary from October 2. “To curb pollution in Delhi, tree plantation drives have been great contributors...Today (Tuesday) we held a meeting with the high-ranking officials of the forest department in which we noted that 2,232,000 of our target of planting 3.3 million trees has been achieved,” said Rai.

He added, “We started working on this pledge right from Van Mahotsav and have achieved so much of this target already. We are planning to plant all these trees by March 2022 and it was stated in the report which came up in the meeting.”

Rai said that “when the fight against pollution was started by the Arvind Kejriwal government in 2015-16”, 1,651,000 trees were planted, followed by 2,475,000 trees in 2016-17; 1,600,000 trees in in 2017-18; 2,895,000 trees in 2018-19; and 2,870,000 trees in 2019-20.

“From October 2 to 8, we will hold a Van Jeev Samrakshan Abhiyan programme at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. Activities will be carried out to sensitise people. We are committed to preserving the environment,” he said.